Abstract: The purpose of this research is to broaden the conceptualization of entertainment selection to identify not only pleasure-seeking (hedonic concerns) as a motivator, but to also recognize that individuals may choose media as a means of ‘‘truth-seeking’’ (eudaimonic concerns). This article conceptualized and developed measures to illustrate that entertainment can be used as a means of experiencing not only enjoyment, but also as a means of grappling with questions such as life’s purpose and human meaningfulness. Four studies were conducted in the development of these measures, providing evidence for their validity in terms of entertainment preference and individual differences, and illustrating how these motivations predict preferences for entertainment that elicits unique affective experiences.

Abstract: This article introduces the situational theory of problem solving (theory of problem solving) as an extended and generalized version of the situational theory of publics (theory of publics). The theory of problem solving introduces a new concept, communicative action in problem solving, as its dependent variable. To explain communicative action, the theory of problem solving refines the independent variables of the theory of publics: problem recognition, constraint recognition, involvement recognition, and referent criterion. Finally, it introduces a new variable: situational motivation in problem solving. The new motivational variable mediates the effects of antecedent perceptual variables on communicative behavior. We report the supporting evidence for theoretical propositions of the new theory based on structural equation modeling (SEM) testing using survey data.

Abstract: Linking back to D. Horton and R. Wohl (1956), the present approach conceptualizes and empirically examines viewers’ parasocial interaction experience with a TV performer. Causes and outcomes of parasocial interaction experience are examined. To this end, a new Experience of Parasocial Interaction (EPSI) scale is introduced. In a 2 (Bodily Addressing) × 2 (Verbal Addressing) between-subjects experiment (N = 198) viewers reported a more intense parasocial experience if they were addressed by a TV performer on a bodily and verbal level. In addition, the more viewers perceived the performer to be attractive and the stronger their perspective-taking ability, the more intense their parasocial experience. Stronger parasocial experience resulted in higher commitment to social norms and a greater enjoyment of the exposure situation.

Abstract: Individuals often avoid discussing sexual history and safer sex with sexual partners, increasing the likelihood of negative health consequences. Research and theorizing on narrative influence suggest that television programs in which characters model conversations about safer sex may provide social scripts to viewers and influence behavior. This experiment tested this effect and examined the underlying mechanisms. Participants were randomly assigned to view a program that either did or did not depict characters modeling sexual discussion. Exposure to the modeled behavior motivated viewers to engage in sexual discussions over the next 2 weeks. Greater identification with these characters facilitated this effect by enhancing viewers' self-efficacy and reducing counterarguing. Implications for research on narrative influence more generally are discussed. Identifikation mit Charakteren und die Diskussion von Tabu-Themen nach der Rezeption einer unterhaltenden Geschichte uber sexuelle Gesundheit Personen vermeiden es haufig, mit ihren Sexualpartnern uber ihre sexuelle Vergangenheit und Safer Sex zu sprechen und erhohen damit die Wahrscheinlichkeit negativer Gesundheitsfolgen. Forschung und Theorie zum Einfluss von Narrationen legen es nahe, dass Fernsehsendungen, in denen die Figuren Gesprache uber Safer Sex modellieren, moglicherweise als soziale Scripts fur die Zuschauer dienen und deren Verhalten beeinflussen konnen. Dieses Experiment untersucht diesen Effekt und die zugrundeliegenden Mechanismen. Die Teilnehmer wurden zufallig auf zwei Gruppen verteilt und sahen eine Sendung mit oder ohne eine Figur, die sexuelle Gesprache modellierte. Die Rezeption des modellierten Verhaltens motivierte Zuschauer dazu, in den nachsten zwei Wochen Gesprache zum Thema zu fuhren. Starkere Identifikation mit den Figuren verstarkte den Effekt durch die Verbesserung der Selbstwirksamkeit der Zuschauer und durch die Reduktion von Gegenargumentation. Implikationen fur die Forschung zum Einfluss von Narrationen im Allgemeinen werden diskutiert. La Identificacion con los Personajes y la Discusion de Temas Tabu despues de una Exposicion a una Narrativa de Entretenimiento acerca de la Salud Sexual Resumen Los individuos evaden a menudo la discusion sobre la historia sexual y el sexo seguro con las parejas sexuales, incrementado la posibilidad de consecuencias negativas para la salud. La investigacion y la teorizacion sobre la influencia de la narrativa sugieren que los programas de television en los cuales los personajes modelan las conversaciones sobre sexo seguro pueden proveer de guiones sociales para sus videntes e influenciar su comportamiento. Este experimento puso a prueba este efecto y examino sus mecanismos subyacentes. Los participantes fueron asignados en forma aleatoria a ver un programa que representaba los personajes modelando una discusion sexual o a un programa que no lo representaba. La exposicion al comportamiento modelado motivo a los televidentes a participar de discusiones sexuales en las proximas dos semanas. La mayor identificacion con estos personajes facilito este efecto mediante el mejoramiento de la auto-eficacia y la reduccion de contra argumentos. Las implicancias para la investigacion sobre la influencia de la narrativa son discutidas mas generalmente. L’identification aux personnages et la discussion de sujets tabous apres une exposition a un narratif de divertissement portant sur la sante sexuelle Resume Les individus evitent souvent de discuter d’histoire sexuelle et de rapports proteges avec leurs partenaires sexuels, ce qui augmente la probabilite de consequences negatives pour la sante. La recherche et la theorie sur l’influence narrative suggere que les emissions televisees dans lesquelles des personnages ont des conversations portant sur les rapports proteges pourraient offrir des scripts sociaux aux spectateurs et influencer les comportements. Cette experience a teste cet effet et examine ses mecanismes sous-jacents. Les participants etaient assignes au hasard au visionnement d’une emission qui presentait ou ne presentait pas des personnages ayant une discussion a propos de la sexualite. L’exposition a la discussion a motive les spectateurs a prendre part a des discussions sur la sexualite au cours des deux semaines suivantes. Une plus grande identification avec ces personnages a facilite cet effet en accroissant l’auto-efficacite des telespectateurs et en reduisant les contre-arguments. Les consequences pour la recherche sur l’influence narrative en general sont commentees.

Abstract: How do individuals form opinions about new technologies? What role does factual information play? We address these questions by incorporating 2 dynamics, typically ignored in extant work: information competition and over-time processes. We present results from experiments on 2 technologies: carbon-nanotubes and genetically modified foods. We find that factual information is of limited utility—it does not have a greater impact than other background factors (e.g., values), it adds little power to newly provided arguments/frames (e.g., compared to arguments lacking facts), and it is perceived in biased ways once individuals form clear initial opinions (e.g., motivated reasoning). Our results provide insight into how individuals form opinions over time, and bring together literatures on information, framing, and motivated reasoning.

Abstract: Most early research on entertainment defines media enjoyment in functional terms as the satisfaction of hedonic needs. Two studies demonstrate the value of including nonhedonic and hedonic need satisfaction in defining enjoyment. Both studies find support for a need-satisfaction model showing that hedonic (arousal and affect) and nonhedonic (competence and autonomy) need satisfaction account for unique variance in enjoyment experienced during video game play. Study 2 extends the findings of Study 1 to account for noninteractive media entertainment enjoyment. Results show hedonic and nonhedonic need satisfaction to be distinct but complementary components of media enjoyment. Discussion focuses on the advantage of a needs-based approach for understanding positive valuations of media and offers a new perspective on the enjoyment-appreciation distinction. © 2011 International Communication Association.

Abstract: The past 2 decades have witnessed important contributions to our understanding of political conversation and its effects. However, in many ways we have yet to scratch the surface of what we need to learn. We argue that the emphasis of the literature on political conversation as a weak form of deliberation or as an afterthought from the media effects perspective has led to neglect of important aspects of the interpersonal communication process that require careful consideration. Here we briefly review the political conversation literature, followed by a detailed consideration of limitations of current research that point to new directions that more appropriately take into consideration what we know about individuals and their lives as communicators. Mas alla de la Deliberacion: Nuevas Direcciones para el Estudio de las Conversaciones Politicas Informales desde una Perspectiva de la Comunicacion William P. Eveland, Jr. School of Communication and Department of Political Science The Ohio State University Alyssa C. Morey School of Communication The Ohio State University Myiah J. Hutchens Department of Public Relations Texas Tech University Resumen Las ultimas 2 decadas han sido testigos de importantes contribuciones para nuestro entendimiento de la conversacion politica y sus efectos. No obstante, en muchas formas tenemos que rasgunar aun la superficie de lo que necesitamos aprender. Arguimos que el enfasis de la literatura sobre la conversacion politica como una forma debil de deliberacion o como un pensamiento posterior desde la perspectiva de los efectos de los medios has llevado a dejar de lado aspectos importantes del proceso de comunicacion interpersonal que requieren una consideracion cuidadosa. Revisamos brevemente, aqui, la literatura de la conversacion politica, seguida de una consideracion detallada de las limitaciones de la investigacion corriente senalando nuevas direcciones que tienen en consideracion en forma mas apropiada lo que sabemos acerca de los individuos y sus vidas como comunicadores. Palabras claves: discusion, discurso, platica, debate, heterogeneidad, desacuerdo, cruzamiento, expresion, espiral del silencio Au-dela de la deliberation : de nouvelles directions pour l’etude de la conversation politique informelle d’une perspective communicationnelle William P. Eveland, Jr. Alyssa C. Morey Myiah J. Hutchens Au cours des deux dernieres decennies, nous avons assistea d’importantes contributions a notre comprehension de la conversation politique et de ses effets. Pourtant, a plusieurs egards, nous n’avons toujours pas effleure ce qu’il nous faut apprendre. Nous soutenons dans cet article que l’insistance de la litterature a considerer la conversation politique comme une forme faible de deliberation, ou comme une arriere-pensee de la perspective des effets mediatiques, a conduit les chercheurs a negliger des aspects importants du processus de communication interpersonnelle qui exigent une consideration attentive. Nous revoyons brievement dans cet article la litterature sur la conversation politique. Nous exposons ensuite une reflexion detaillee des limites de la recherche actuelle, indiquant de nouvelles directions qui prennent en consideration, de maniere plus appropriee, ce que nous savons des individus et de leur vie de communicateurs. Mots cles : discussion, discours, conversation, debat, heterogeneite, desaccord, diversite, expression, spirale du silence Jenseits der Deliberation: Neue Wege fur die Erforschung von informellen politischen Gesprachen aus einer Kommunikationsperspektive In den vergangenen zwei Jahrzehnten wurden wichtige Erkenntnisse fur unser Verstandnis von politischen Gesprachen und ihren Wirkungen zusammengetragen. Dennoch kratzen diese Erkenntnisse nur an der Oberflache dessen, was wir noch erforschen mussen. Wir argumentieren in unserem Beitrag, dass die Fokussierung der Forschung auf politische Gesprache als eine schwache Form der Deliberation oder als eine weniger wichtige Perspektive der Medienwirkungsperspektive dazu gefuhrt, dass wichtige Aspekte des interpersonalen Kommunikationsprozesses bislang vernachlassigt wurden und daher unbedingt sorgfaltig durchdacht werden sollten. Wir erarbeiten daher einen kurzen Uberblick uber die Literatur zu politischen Gesprachen, um uns dann im Detail mit den Leerstellen dieser Forschungsperspektiven auseinanderzusetzen und neue Wege aufzuzeigen, die das, was wir uber Menschen und ihr Leben als Kommunikatoren wissen, angemessener zu berucksichtigen. Schlusselbegriffe: Diskussion, Diskurs, Unterhaltung, Debatte, Heterogenitat, Meinungsverschiedenheit, Querschnitt, Ausdruck, Schweigespirale

Abstract: A growing number of studies test the effects of news framing on citizens’ understanding of politics. By employing experimental designs, these studies report significant effects for a multitude of issues and frames. However, what happens to the framing effect after initial exposure? Based on a ‘‘classic’’ framing experiment (n = 625), this article traces framing effects across a number of delayed time points: after 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks. Our results show that framing effects are surprisingly persistent. The duration of framing effects depended on a person’s level of political knowledge, with moderately knowledgeable individuals displaying most persistent framing effects. Effects on individuals with high or low levels of political knowledge dissipated much quicker.

Abstract: In recent years, mobile communication has emerged as a channel for political discourse among network ties. Although some celebrate new possibilities for political life, others are concerned that it can lead to network insularity and political detachment. This study examined how mobile-mediated discourse with strong ties interacts with characteristics of those ties to predict levels of political participation. Findings revealed that mobile-based discourse is positively associated with political participation, but that this relationship is moderated by the size and heterogeneity of one’s network. Participation increases with use of the technology in large networks of like-minded individuals, but declines with use of the technology in homogeneous networks that are small. Implications and future research considerations are offered in the discussion.

Abstract: Contemporary science and environmental news coverage of global warming increasingly portrays scientific consensus. Political news coverage of global warming, however, typically portrays controversy. We hypothesize that attention to science and environmental news is associated with beliefs more consistent with the global warming science and higher risk perceptions, and that the opposite is true of attention to political news. Furthermore, we hypothesize that science-based beliefs and risk perceptions are positively associated with support for policies aiming at reducing global warming. These hypotheses were confirmed by survey data from a nationally representative sample of adults (N = 2,164). These findings support and extend the cognitive mediation model of news learning and have important practical ramifications.

Abstract: This article investigates the determinants of the incumbency bonuses in news coverage. Two main factors are identified: the distribution of political power and changes in the media market. To test these assumptions, a content analysis of the news coverage of 5 national election campaigns in Denmark was conducted (4,592 news stories). First, the more unevenly political power is distributed, the more visible the government is. Second, results suggest a trade-off between the incumbency bonus and the coverage of nonsubstantive issues. Third, changes in news coverage seem to be more driven by changes in the political system than by changes in the media market. Finally, it is discussed how future research can further our understanding of political imbalances in news coverage.

Abstract: This study draws on quasi-experimental data from participants in heterogeneous face-to-face deliberations on sexual minority rights in Poland. It examines whether disagreement perceived during deliberation decreases—as deliberative theorists hope—or rather exacerbates—as psychological research predicts—extreme views. The study also analyzes whether extreme deliberators report that their views were polarized and whether self-reported polarization is greater following deliberations perceived as contentious. Third, the study tests the correspondence between pre- to posttest and self-reported polarization measures. As predicted, extreme deliberators who perceived disagreement polarized on the discussed policies and on issues more generally related to sexual minorities and also reported greater opinion polarization. Validating the self-reported measure with the binary index suggests that deliberators relatively accurately reported polarization.

Abstract: Despite much research on the beneficial effects of written disclosure, relatively little attention has been paid to specifying the mechanism underlying the effects. Building upon the two theoretical models (the cognitive adaptation model and the emotional exposure-habituation model), this research focused on two aspects of disclosure content-insights and emotions-and examined how women with breast cancer benefit from written disclosure in online support groups. Using survey data collected at baseline and after four months and messages posted in bulletin-board-type online groups in between, we analyzed how the content of disclosive messages predicted health outcomes. Disclosure of insights led to greater improvements in health self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and functional well-being, which was mediated by lowered breast cancer concerns. Disclosure of negative emotions did not have main effects on health outcomes; instead, it weakened the unfavorable association between concerns at baseline and functional well-being at follow-up. Our findings support both theoretical models, but in regard to different aspects of disclosure content.

Abstract: Information technology and new media allow for collecting and sharing personal information at unprecedented levels. This study explores issues of privacy and surveillance with new interactive technologies. Based on a year-long field study, this project examines how people think about privacy and surveillance when using mobile social networks. Using the case of Dodgeball, the study found that most informants were not concerned about privacy when using the mobile social network because they felt they were in control of their personal information. There was, however, evidence of 3 kinds of surveillance present in everyday usage of Dodgeball: voluntary panopticon, lateral surveillance, and self-surveillance. This study sheds light on the everyday conceptions, meanings, and activities associated with surveillance, privacy, and interactive technologies.

Abstract: Scholars have generated evidence of a wide variety of mass media effects over almost 9 decades of research. Although each of these effects has been defined in a relatively clear manner, there has been much less conceptualizing about what constitutes a mass media effect in general. Rarely have scholars provided a formal definition of mass media effect, instead opting to provide a definition in either an ostensive or primitive manner. In this essay, a conceptualization of “mass media effect” at the most general level is synthesized from this previous definitional work. The proposed conceptualization posits 4 general kinds of mass media effects: gradual long-term change in magnitude, reinforcement, immediate shift, and short-term fluctuation change.

Abstract: This investigation formulates a global model to analyze the influence of internal communication (IC) on technological proactivity (TP), organizational learning (OL), and organizational innovation (OI); the direct and indirect relationships between these strategic variables; and the influence of OI on organizational performance (OP). The hypotheses are tested using data from 164 European and U.S. technological firms. The results show that (a) IC influences TP, OL, and OI; (b) TP influences OL and OI, and OL influences OI; and (c) OI influences OP. This article discusses these findings and provides several implications for future research.

Abstract: This article advances a communicative approach to social capital that views communication as the fundamental source of societal integration. We contend that integration occurring at the system level via news consumption and at the individual level via interpersonal discussion is amplified through ties at the community level. This cross-level interaction is theorized to encourage civic engagement, writ large, above and beyond the influences of news, talk, or social ties. This perspective distinguishes between the extent of news use and political talk and the orientation toward news consumption and political conversation. We offer evidence that communication variables, specifically news attention and exposure along with conversational frequency and orientation toward conversational understanding, interact with associational membership and network size to foster engagement.

Abstract: The mediation of communication has raised questions of authority shifts in key social institutions. This article examines how traditional sources of epistemic power that govern social relations in religious authority are being amplified or delegitimized by Internet use, drawing from in-depth interviews with protestant pastors in Singapore. Competition from Internet access is found to delocalize epistemic authority to some extent; however, it also reembeds authority by allowing pastors to acquire new competencies as strategic arbiters of religious expertise and knowledge. Our study indicates that although religious leaders are confrontedwithproletarianization,deprofessionalization,andpotentialdelegitimizationas epistemicthreats,thereisalsoanenhancementofepistemicwarrantastheyadoptmediated

Abstract: Using cross-national time-series data in sequences of Granger causality tests, this study analyzed the democratic effects of media technologies with a sample of 122 countries. This process revealed that communication technologies are vital, but not exclusive or universal prerequisites of democratic growth. As expected by media system dependency (MSD) theory, media diffusion was shown to have Granger-caused democracy only in countries where media served more information functions or where sociopolitical instability levels were higher. Results further indicated that media diffusion is central to the development of sociopolitical instability, which suggests certain direct and indirect macrolevel democratic effects of mass media diffusion. The conditions of MSD theory observed here also demonstrated an integrative relationship with the economic development thesis.

Abstract: To test the cognitive mediation model (CMM), a virtual lab study was carried out where participants (N = 602) read 1 of 5 cancer news articles and completed a knowledge posttest (assessing recognition and comprehension). Results were consistent with the CMM and past news learning research, as (a) news surveillance motivation was positively related to story comprehension (but not recognition of specific facts), (b) elaboration mediated the relationship between surveillance and comprehension, and (c) attention to health news moderated the size of the indirect relationships. The results support and extend the CMM as well as validate past research suggesting a connection between attention and cancer information gain.